Friday after Cantate
Scripture: Zechariah 8:18-23 (NKJV)
8:18 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’
20 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities;
21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of hosts. I myself will go also.”
22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.’
23 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”
Devotion
“In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
God’s will has always been that the joyous new song of forgiveness and everlasting life would be proclaimed to all nations. The special work of Israel and the Jews was the work of keeping His Word faithfully and teaching it to all others rightly. Even though many turned from this path, there was still one Jewish man who did this work perfectly, our Lord Jesus Christ. He was, and continues to be, the One that the nations are drawn to so that man may know the one true God is with His people.
This is our special work and identity as His Church. Having come from the other nations, we are made part of the Body of Christ, and He is with us. The glorious song of the Gospel of Christ crucified is proclaimed and taught in our midst. We are to invite people to go with us in the way of Truth so they may see God in the righteousness of His Law, in the work of His Spirit to bring faithful repentance, and in the forgiveness of sins through the Baptism, Absolution, and Body and Blood from His beloved Son, Jesus Christ!
We pray: O God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant unto Thy people that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise, that among the manifold changes of this world our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
